By JOEL SHERMAN
Three teams have emerged as frontrunners for Johan Santana, The Post has learned. The Yankees are among that group. The Mets are not.
The Red Sox are almost certainly among the clubs the Twins are currently talking with most seriously about Santana. The Dodgers likely are the other team, though the Cubs, Mariners and Angels have been linked to these discussions, as well.
According to a person familiar with negotiations, the Twins’ last request from the Mets still included Jose Reyes. The Mets do not believe they could come close to adequately replacing the Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and sparkplug offense that Reyes, just 24, provides at a reasonable price, so they are unwilling to consider dealing him, even for the No. 1 starter they so badly need.
“I like going after the big fish, but I can’t rob Peter to pay Paul,” Omar Minaya said by phone. “I’m not getting rid of Jose Reyes.”
That Minnesota was still asking for Reyes likely means the Twins do not believe the Mets have enough attractive options among their prospects to make a deal. Minnesota, for example, is not talking about Robinson Cano, demonstrating the Twins believe the Yankees have enough of a prospect base from which to potentially make a match.
At present, the Mets seem at best a contingency plan for the Twins. They have let Minnesota GM Bill Smith know what they are willing to do, with their athletic center fielder Carlos Gomez as a centerpiece of a trade offer. However, Minnesota is on the brink of completing a deal with the Rays in which the Twins would obtain two outfielders, Delmon Young and Jason Pridie. Thus, it is possible Minnesota’s hunger for an outfielder in a Santana deal has lowered.
It also is possible, with Young potentially replacing the offense of the recently departed Torii Hunter, that the Twins will keep Santana and Joe Nathan for now, see if they can contend and if not trade both free-agents-to-be in July. That is unless the Mets relent and give up a Reyes as part of a package, or the Yanks, Red Sox or another club makes the Twins an offer they cannot refuse.
Rival executives say that as long as Minnesota can pit the Yanks and Red Sox against each other for a pitcher in Santana who can sway the balance of power in the AL East, then the Twins might be able to extract an extraordinary package. As part of any package, the Twins are seeking at least two players ready for the majors now, including a starting pitcher. The Yanks have said Joba Chamberlain is off limits, but Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy are in play. The Red Sox could include either Clay Buchholz or, more likely, Jon Lester in a deal with the idea of teaming Santana with Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka with eyes on constructing a rotation good enough to support a dynasty.
The Mets’ pitching prospects are not viewed as generously around the majors with Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber regressing last year. However, Minaya defended them.
“I have two 15-game winners (John Maine, Oliver Perez) that other teams gave up on,” Minaya said. “If young guys have high-end arms and good deliveries, you have to ignore the stats on occasion. Pitching goes up and down. (Matt) Garza took a step back this year in some people’s eyes, and Tampa just traded for him (as part of the Young trade).”
Asked if he could acquire a high-end starter such as Santana, Oakland’s Dan Haren or Baltimore’s Erik Bedard, Minaya said, “It all depends on how they view our pitchers. I continue to like our young pitchers, and I think a lot of people in the industry like them, too.”
Minaya said he is prioritizing finding a No. 1 starter.
“We would like to be able to get it if we can,” he said. “But I do hate to give up young players. I would prefer doing major league player for major league player in a trade. That might not be possible. But you know me, if I had to pay a little more to get a premium guy, I would. But I won’t go crazy, though.”